Grundy Reporter

Coal City Village Board of Trustees met Dec. 11.

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

At 7:00p.m. on Wednesday, December 11, 2024, Mayor Dave Spesia called to order the meeting of the Coal City Village Board in the boardroom at Village Hall.

Roll call- Dave Togliatti, Dan Greggain, Pam Noffsinger, Tim Bradley, Bill Mincey and CJ Lauterbur. Also in attendance were Mark Heinle, village attorney, Ryan Hansen from Chamlin Engineer, Police Chief Chris Harseim, and Matt Fritz, village administrator. Absent; none.

All present recited the Pledge of Allegiance.

The regular meeting minutes for November 25, 2024, were reviewed. Bradley moved to approve the minutes as written, second by Lauterbur. Roll call- Ayes; Togliatti, Noffsinger, Bradley, Mincey and Lauterbur. Nays; none. Absent; none. Abstain; none. Motion carried.

The warrant list was reviewed. Bradley moved to approve the warrant list as written, second by Greggain. Roll Call- Ayes; Togliatti, Greggain, Noffsinger, Bradley, Mincey and Lauterbur. Nays: none. Absent; none. Motion carried.

There was no public comment during the meeting.

Police Chief Harseim introduced newly hired police officer Matthew Janosek. Chief Harseim explained Officer Janosek was previously employed at Cicero Police Department. Officer Janosek will begin Field Training. Village Clerk, Alexis Stone swore in Matthew Janosek as Coal City Police Officer. Officer Janosek introduced his family who were present and thanked everyone for this new opportunity.

Police Chief Harseim introduced newly hired police officer Cody Hakey. Chief Harseim explained Officer Hakey will attend the Police Training Institute in Champagin on January 5th, 2025. Village Clerk, Alexis Stone swore in Cody Hakey as Coal City Police Officer. Officer Hakey introduced his family who were present and thanked everyone for this new opportunity.

Mayor Spesia congratulated the two newly appointed officers and thanked them both for serving our community.

Ordinance 24-33, granting conditional use to operate a charitable organization on the north side of the building at 155 E. Division. Don Johnson President/ CEO of Goodwill Industries of Central Illinois Locations was present at the meeting to explain this Goodwill location will be drop-off donation location only with no retail sales included. Mr. Johnson explained there will be 3-5 local employees and the organization will be open 7 days a week during specific times. Mr. Fritz explained after the presentation there was concern about the current car park along the storefront of the building; a change from diagonal alignment to parallel parking between the existing walkway and the roadway was necessary to allow safe future traffic that would accumulate with drop-offs. The Zoning Board of Appeals positively recommended the adoption of the petition. Mr. Johnson also offered to assist with a community wide recycling day for collection of electronics that would partner with the annual spring-cleaning event held by the Village. There were no objections made by the public during the Planning and Zoning Board meeting. The Board addressed the following concerns, keeping the storefront clear of clutter during non-operational hours and the need for a night-drop box. Mr. Johnson explained there will not be additional items set outside for an extended period and there will be a night drop box available for the community to use. Trustee Bradley explained the change to the parking was a necessity. Trustee Togliatti moved to adopt Ordinance 24-33, granting conditional use to operate a charitable organization on the north side of the building at 155 E. Division, second by Mincey. Roll call- Ayes; Togliatti, Greggain, Noffsinger, Bradley, Mincey and Lauterbur. Nays; none. Absent; none. Abstain; none. Motion carried. Mayor Spesia and the Trustees all welcomed Mr. Johnson to the community and thanked him for choosing Coal City for the location of their business. Mr. Johnson explained he was excited about this addition to their business, that Coal City showed great business projections and was excited about future recycling days for the community.

Ordinance 24-34, adoption of the 2024 Property Tax Levy. Mr. Fritz explained the proposed levy was attached and highlighted the following levy line items:

• Liability Insurance Renewal

• The Parks Expenditure

• The Street & Bridge Levy exclusion

• Police Pension

Mr. Fritz explained the 2024 levy is 4.95% higher than the 2023 levy. Mr. Fritz explained line items have been adjusted for the anticipated EAV growth or increased costs related to personnel-related expenses. Mayor Spesia thanked all Coal City employees for working safely, which resulted in the costs of liability insurance being reduced. Trustee Bradley thanked everyone who worked hard on the 2024 Tax Levy. Trustee Bradley moved to adopt Ordinance 24-34, adopting the 2024 Coal City Municipal Property Tax Levy, second by Lauterbur. Roll call- Ayes; Togliatti, Greggain, Noffsinger, Bradley, Mincey and Lauterbur. Nays; none. Absent; none. Abstain; none. Motion carried.

Mr. Fritz explained Ordinance 24-35 and Ordinance 24-36 are aligned with the annual abatement of the property taxes to be collected from Coal City Area Club and Cullick Properties. As previously agreed, the Village annexed a portion of Cullick Farm and the Coal City Area Club which result in no taxes to be collected upon the property but allows sanitary service to be connected to Village utilities. No further comments were made by the Board about either ordinance.

Trustee Lauterbur moved to adopt Ordinance 24-35, abating the 2024 Property Taxes Levied upon the Coal City Area Club, second by Greggain. Roll call- Ayes; Togliatti, Greggain, Noffsinger, Bradley, Mincey and Lauterbur. Nays; none. Absent; none. Abstain; none. Motion carried.

Trustee Bradley moved to adopt Ordinance 24-36, abating the 204 Property Taxes Levied upon "Cullick" Farm, second by Lauterbur. Roll call- Ayes; Togliatti, Greggain, Noffsinger, Bradley, Mincey and Lauterbur. Nays; none. Absent; none. Abstain; none. Motion carried.

Mr. Fritz explained the necessity of a change in order in the work completed for Well #7. Mr. Fritz and Ryan Hansen from Chamlin Engineering explained the installation of Com-Ed permanent service at Well #7 is scheduled to begin this upcoming week and be completed in January. For the Com-ed service to continue westward around the detached garage where the well head equipment is held, the transformer needs to be relocated to the east side of the detached garage. This would result in Well #7 and the future Fire Station #1 being located on a side by side transformer. This change would result in a $6,663 reduction in the installation planned costs along with an increased installation charge for the additional work of $95.678. Trustee Lauterbur moved to authorize a change order in the work to be completed for Well #7, a portion of the Water Treatment Expansion Project to have Elliott conduct additional work for an amount not to exceed $89,015, second by Greggain. Roll call- Ayes; Togliatti, Greggain, Noffsinger, Bradley, Mincey and Lauterbur. Nays; none. Absent; none. Abstain; none. Motion carried.

Mr. Fritz explained within the annual budget that there is a 5-year capital plan for the acquisition of large equipment items for large projects which included a replacement dump truck for Public Works. The current dump truck being utilized will be decommissioned but will remain kept in our possession for alternative uses. The acquisition of the replacement dump truck will be projected to be split between the FY26 & FY27 fiscal year budgets. The state bid for this unit was estimated at $240,633 from Rush Truck Center. Mr. Fritz expected to have the dump truck in our possession in 12-14 months. Trustee Greggain moved to authorize the acquisition of a replacement dump truck for Public Works from the State Bid for an estimated $240,633 from Rush Truck Center, second by Togliatti. Roll call- Ayes; Togliatti, Greggain, Noffsinger, Bradley, Mincey and Lauterbur. Nays; none. Absent; none. Abstain; none. Motion carried.

Ryan Hansen from Chamlin Engineering went over the final estimates associated with Carbon Hill Road Repaving Project. Mr. Hansen presented the line items estimates from the Illinois Department of Transportation and the line items from Chamlin Engineer's payment estimate. The Village of Coal City only pays 20% whereas Illinois Department of Transportation pays 80%. The final payments that need to be completed are to P.T. Ferro Construction & Co and Chamlin Engineering. Mr. Fritz explained Chamlin Engineering will be paid in January 2025. Trustee Bradley moved to authorize payment of $25,755.95 to P. T. Ferro Construction & Co., for the work completed on the Carbon Hill Road Repaving Project, second by Mincey. Roll call- Ayes; Togliatti, Greggain, Noffsinger, Bradley, Mincey and Lauterbur. Nays; none. Absent; none. Abstain; none. Motion carried.

Police Chief Chris Harseim explained to the Board the want for an additional officer to be hired to replace a vacant spot due to Officer Goron resigning due to employment located in Naperville. Chief Harseim explained there are 6 candidates on the Law Enforcement Eligibility List, the next one on the list is female. There were no further questions or objections from the Board. Trustee Bradley moved to authorize Mayor Spesia to request the hiring of an additional officer from the Law Enforcement Eligibility List, second by Greggain. Roll call- Ayes; Togliatti, Greggain, Noffsinger, Bradley, Mincey and Lauterbur. Nays; none. Absent; none. Abstain; none. Motion carried.

Mayor Spesia reported that he attended the Kriskindle Market on November 22nd, he explained the event was well executed. Mayor Spesia thanked everyone involved for their hard work, including the Junior Woman's Club for hosting the event and all the vendors who participated. Mayor Spesia wanted to give his condolences to the Counterman Family for the passing of Caleb Counterman. Mayor Spesia reminded everyone there are 13 days of shopping left before the holidays and recommended to shop locally. Mayor Spesia also wanted to thank the Village of Coal City staff and board members for all their hard work during 2024.

Trustee Lauterbur wished everyone a happy holiday.

Trustee Mincey reported he participated in the Holiday Hustle; he was impressed with the event. Trustee Mincey wanted to thank Chamlin Engineering, D Construction and P.T. Ferro for all the work they have completed. Trustee Mincey wanted to remind everyone of the Sales Tax helps finance to repair our town, so he encouraged everyone to purchase gas in town. Trustee Mincey also reported that the need for a traffic light at State Route 113 and Carbon Hill Road, in which the Village does not have control on installing. The process of requesting a traffic light installed at this location with the State of Illinois has begun. Trustee Mincey wished everyone a Merry Christmas.

Trustee Bradley wished everyone a happy holiday.

Trustee Noffsinger reported the memorial ornament sale was a success and is a future staple for the Kriskindle Market event. Trustee Noffsinger thanked everyone who attended the event. Trustee Noffsinger wanted to give her condolences to the Cora Family for the passing of Joe Cora. Trustee Noffsinger wished everyone a happy holiday.

Trustee Greggain wished everyone a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

Trustee Togliatti wished everyone a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

Clerk Stone wanted to acknowledge all the wonderful work the Early Childhood Center has been doing. Clerk Stone explained she attended the 'Cookie Decorating Night' that the Early Childhood Center hosted for Preschool student families, in which the event was fun for the students and families. The Early Childhood Center held spirit days leading up to winter break for the students and all teachers and faculty have been doing an excellent job. Clerk Stone thanked the ECC staff and Superintendent Spencer for their hard work to make the Early Childhood Center a great facility for our students. Clerk Stone wished everyone a happy holiday.

Mark Heinle, Village Attorney, wished everyone a happy holiday and is looking forward to working with everyone the following year.

Ryan Hansen, Village Engineer, gave a update regarding the Lead Line Replacement Project and the Water Treatment Plant Project. Mr. Hansen wished everyone a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

Police Chief Harseim reported the previous Kriskindle Market and Holiday Hustle event went well, Chief Harseim said the 'Craft with A Cop' event held during the Kriskindle Market was enjoyed by all the police department. Chief Harseim also explained the Heroes & Helpers event was hosted the previous week, where he was apart from Shop with A Cop'. Chief Harseim said he loved participating in this wonderful event. Chief wanted to remind everyone that snowplowing occurs after two inches of snow, in which parking on the streets is prohibited and will result in a $100 P-Ticket after first warning. Chief Harseim went over the following reports, highlighting the D.U.I reports have raised.

• 2024 Total CAD Events

• 2024 Calls Requiring Report

• 2024 Criminal Arrest

• 2024 D.U. I

• 2024 Citations

• 2024 Traffic Crashes

• 2024 Verbal Warnings

• 2024 P-Tickets

Matt Fritz, Village Administrator gave special condolences to the Counterman Family and the Cora Family. Mr. Fritz also gave a special thank you to Junior Woman's Club, Pam and Linda for all their hard work for their planning of the Kriskindle Market, he stated it is a great community event. Mr. Fritz reported the conference room appearance will be changed by the next meeting. Mr. Fritz wished everyone a happy holiday.

Bradley moved to adjourn the meeting at 7:57 p.m., second by Lauterbur. Roll call- Ayes; Togliatti, Greggain, Noffsinger, Bradley, Mincey and Lauterbur. Nays; none. Absent; none. Abstain; none. Motion carried.

https://coalcity-il.gov/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/VB-Meeting-Minutes-12-11-2024-Web.pdf